Sunday, November 05, 2006

The most interesting parts of the story include the fact that the Indians wouldn’t play Akinori Iwamura at 2B, but would use him to help Marte at 3B and to play the OF (doesn’t sound like the perfect fit that it once did), that the Indians are likely to add one Japanese arm to the bullpen, that the Tribe wants 2 lefties in the pen (one a veteran, late-inning LOOGY, the other an in-house option), and that Craig Counsell is on the Indians radar, which means that either Hoynes reads Ken Rosenthal or there’s validity to this point.

He also touches on the confusing fact that Kouzmanoff is playing 1B in the Arizona Fall League, giving the Indians 2 young RH 1B in K2 and Garko-my-God-did-you-see-how-far-he-hit-that. Pluto’s answer is that one of the two will be dealt, but the Front Office better be right about which one to keep as either would have to be dealt before Spring Training (as that’s when most deals get done), not giving them the luxury of pitting the 2 in direct competition in Winter Haven.

Pluto also senses (and he usually has someone directing these “senses”) that the Tribe is looking to add that corner OF, probably via trade.

One corner OF option that has been entertained has been Luis Gonzalez, who had lunch with Shapiro. As long as the Tribe doesn’t need to commit to a multi-year deal or a big number, Gonzalez would actually be a good fit, as a RH doubles hitting bat that would slot in nicely between the 3 and 6 holes.

Lots of talk, without any REAL information - but that's what the Hot Stove League is all about.

From the PD..."The Indians have acquired second baseman Josh Barfield from the San Diego Padres. The deal is expected to be announced this afternoon and could include infielder Kevin Kouzmanoff and right-hander Andrew Brown.

Barfield, the son of former Toronto outfielder Jesse Barfield, hit .280 (151-for-539) with 32 doubles, three triples, 13 homers and 58 RBI as a rookie this year. He stole 21 bases.

The Indians, since trading Ronnie Belliard in July, have had a hole at second base.

Kouzmanoff, who hit the first pitch he saw in the big leagues for a grand slam in September, hit .214 (12-for-56) with three homers and 11 RBI for the Tribe. Brown, who is out of options, had no record and a 3.60 ERA in nine appearances for the Tribe.

The Padres need a third baseman, Kouzmanoff’s primary position. He hit a combined .379 (131-for-346) with 28 doubles, 22 homers and 75 RBI in 94 games at Class AA Akron and Class AAA Buffalo."